Philly Theatre Week Launches With More Than 80 Exciting Theatrical Events, February 8-18

This month, Theatre Philadelphia flashes Philly’s credentials as one of the nation’s best theater cities.

From February 8 to 18, the inaugural Philly Theatre Week takes the stage with more than 70 companies producing 268 theater performances as well as one-off events at venues around the region.

PHILLY THEATRE WEEK FAST FACTS

The 10-day Philly Theatre Week runs from February 8 to 18.

More than 265 performances take place in venues in Philly and the surrounding region.

The festival kicks off with a launch party at Yards Brewing Co. on Thursday, February 8.

Tickets to performances are free, $15 or $30 per person.

The 80 different shows scheduled during the 10-day fest include 20-plus full-length theatrical productions by the region’s leading companies, short-run new plays by independent theatermakers, free readings and intriguing panel discussions — all within a 35-mile radius of Center City Philadelphia.

(Photo courtesy Theatre Philadelphia)

The 10-day Philly Theatre Week features more than 250 events, including a cool opening party at the new Yards Brewing Co. headquarters.

Festival Overview and Tips

The first annual Philly Theatre Week celebrates the diverse offerings of performing arts in Philadelphia.

All week long, there are shows and events for every theater taste. For classics, look to Waiting for Godot from Quintessence Theatre Group in Mount Airy or A Doll’s House at Arden Theatre in Old City. Or check out premiere performances from EgoPo Classic Theatre, Inis Nua Theatre Company and InterAct Theatre, among others.

Dozens of independent artists also put on the type of high-quality idiosyncratic shows you’d catch at the Fringe Festival. Chris Davis and Mary Tuomanen return with Fringe-favorite Alchemist and dance circus theater troupe Almanac gets acrobatic with its enchanting The Fleecing.

The 10-day festival runs during Black History Month, and many of Philly Theatre Week events celebrate or examine the black experience. In Stoop Gaze, Kaleidoscope Cultural Arts Collective previews a new show about life and justice in North Philadelphia. And RawLife Productions’ Henry Box Brown presents a hip-hop musical about the quest for freedom.

Valentine’s Day also falls during Philly Theatre Week, and the festival boasts 18 date-night possibilities for February 14. Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre gets cuddly with an open-mic poetry night entitled Shakespeare in Love. Tiny Dynamite proposes a One-Night Stand of three short comedies about relationships, with free food and drink included in the price of admission.

With more than 250 individual events, there’s something for any theater fan. But Philly Theatre Week also lets non-theatergoers dip their toes into performance art, with 25 no-strings-attached free events. In other words, there’s no reason not to see theater during Philly Theatre Week.

Tickets

Tickets to Philly Theatre Week events can be purchased online or by using the TodayTix app.

As mentioned, a handful of Philly Theatre Week events are completely free, including a variety of readings, panel discussions, films, and live performances. All other tickets are just $15 or $30 per person.

Advanced tickets are also available for the launch party on Thursday, February 8, at Yards Brewing Co. Tickets are $15 and include two drinks. Space is limited, so you might want to book ahead.